Abstract
An experiment was conducted to ascertain the nutrient composition of dried cashew apple meal (DCAM) and the effect of diets containing varying levels of the DCAM on the growth performance, economics of production and the internal organs of albino rats. Sixteen rats with a mean initial weight of 64.7 g were randomly allotted to four isoproteic and isocaloric diets in a Randomized Complete Block Design based on their weight and sex. The diets were: T0 (0% DCAM), T1 (5% DCAM), T2 (10% DCAM) and T3 (15% DCAM). Each treatment had four replicates. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data collected were analysed using ANOVA of GenStat Discovery Edition 4. No differences occurred between diets for daily feed intake, daily weight gain and FCR. It cost $0.009, $0.016 and $0.002 more for rats on T1, T2 and T3 respectively to gain 100 g of weight. No differences occurred between treatments for internal organs except for the relative weight of the empty GIT where rats on T3 had higher weight (P < 0.05). It was deduced that the DCAM could be useful in monogastric livestock feeding and could be added to a rate up to 15% of the diet.
Highlights
Feeding constitutes a greater fraction of the total cost of livestock production
The value for the crude protein (5.45%) and crude fibre (6.65%) obtained in this study were lower compared to the 13.7 and 8.60 % CP, and 11.8 and 11.6% crude fibre reported by La van Kinh et al (1997) and Armah (2011) respectively
It is worth noting that, the value obtained for the crude fibre content (6.65%) in this present study was the same as the findings of Castilo and Gerpacio (2005) for crude fibre (6.65%) of fresh cashew apple but that of the Nitrogen-free extract (NFE) (78.4%), found in this study, was higher than that reported by these authors (64.0%)
Summary
Competition among humans, livestock, and manufacturing industries has led to the soaring prices of maize; a major conventional feedstuff in Ghana, due to the excess demand over the supply (Boateng et al, 2008). Swain et al (2014) noted that wastes and by-products from fruit processing industries could be employed in livestock and poultry feeding. Donkoh et al (2012) fed dried cashew nut testa (DCNT) to albino rats and found no detrimental effect on the growth performance and carcass traits. This study, sought to assess the nutrient composition of dried cashew apple meal (DCAM) and to determine its effect on the growth performance and carcass characteristics in the diets of monogastric using albino rats as a model
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
